Jan

Solar to Heat Energy Transformation Investigation

Simple demonstrations of solar to energy transformations allow students to investigate energy transformations into other types of energy. Examples include: solar to heat, solar to electrical, chemical to electrical to mechanical, mechanical to electrical to heat, etc.

The following investigation is safe for students to study energy transformations.

Solar to Electrical to Heat Energy Transformations

The image demonstrates solar energy being transformed into electrical energy (solar panels). The electrical energy is then transformed to heat energy as it heats the water in the tank (red color in in tank indicates cold water transformed to hot water by electrical heating strips in the bottom of the tank).

This can be investigated in the classroom by doing the following:

Materials - small solar panel, thermometer, small beaker or clear cup, water, and 1.5 feet of non-insulted wire, bright flashlight (if do not have access to sunny window)

Introduction - hold a class discussion about energy transformations: however, do not focus specifically on the transformations in this investigation. The discussion needs to be on all types of energy transformations, allowing the students to guide the discussion and share what they know in advance from prior knowledge and experiences (PKE).